Teachers’ Leader in Chicago Strike Shows Her Edge

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NY Times

By MONICA DAVEY and STEVEN YACCINO

CHICAGO — When it comes to demanding, pushing and sparring, few people could even begin to compare with Rahm Emanuel, the famously foul-mouthed mayor whose no-holds-barred tactics once included sending a dead fish to someone whose work he found lacking.

Then came Karen Lewis.

In Ms. Lewis, the president of the Chicago Teachers Union, which on Tuesday completed a second day on strike from public schools across this city, Mr. Emanuel may have met his match.

She is biting, pushy, witty, unwavering. He is biting, pushy, witty, unwavering. Like him, she appears to hold almost nothing back — a quality that in recent days has infuriated City Hall and thrilled tens of thousands of teachers. She has called Mr. Emanuel a “bully” and a “liar,” someone whose “billionaire friends” are driving his educational philosophy. And that was only last week.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/education/talks-to-continue-in-chicago-teachers-strike.html?_r=1&partner=EXCITE&ei=5043

[silvershadow]

1. Really, the strike is traditional Democratic values vs. whatever-the-heck Rahm is

supposed to be. Wonder where this is going and how it will all turn out. I wasn't real happy when President Obama appointed him to his administration post, but I finally settled on "that's so he can keep him close and steer him right. Guess not. Rahm is a mystery to me.

[rhett o rick]

2. Rahm is what happens when you wish the Republican party

to implode. As the party ship sinks, the rats swim to the next party. The Democrat "big tent" is full of Republican refuges. As Arlen Specter proved, all you have to do to be accepted under the tent is proclaim you are a Democrat.

And besides, the big corporation are smart enough not to put all their kazillions of eggs in the Republican basket.